Caught Stealing Review
Darren Aronofsky’s films are certainly popular still to this day: just take a look at Black Swan, which got a re-release recently to even more acclaim. With other features like the Brendan Fraser-leading The Whale, to the insane and almost euphoric Requiem for a Dream, Aronofsky never ceases to amaze audiences. Although it’s been about three years since viewers were treated to his style, fortunately, Aronofsky makes his return with Caught Stealing. With this film, Aronofsky takes a foray into a more grounded genre while still having fun, if going somewhat emotionally deep, with the story.
Caught Stealing follows Hank (Austin Butler), a once-promising baseball player who threw his chances away after a car accident and moved to New York. While it’s not as alluring as he wanted it to be, he makes the most of it with his lover Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz). However, when his “best friend” Russ (Matt Smith) takes a sabbatical and entrusts Hank to take care of his cat, Hank unknowingly finds himself in a new messy situation. Soon enough, he’s forced to confront dangerous criminals, from lowly thugs to hitmen brothers, who want Russ’ secret cache.
To put it simply, Caught Stealing’s story probably wouldn’t have been endearing as it was without Butler’s performance. If you could mish-mash Butler’s confident character from The Bikeriders with a slow, unbridled desperado, you’d simply get Hank. However, Hank has to face his own problems too, one of which involves a personal post-traumatic stress involving a fatal car accident with his friend. He keeps this close to his heart throughout the film, but at subtle moments, like when Hank’s dealing with some excruciating deaths, you can notice his anger surface.
Yet, Hank’s calm and collected shell really makes him stand out because Aronofsky and writer Charlie Huston want to make you believe Hank can’t be a killer-type. Not only do most characters write him off as a “mama’s boy”, quite literally with Hank’s constant phone calls to his mom concerning his safety, but he barely puts up much of a fight. In the film’s more violent sequences, particularly around these two Russian henchmen who constantly beat up Hank for answers, Hank just succumbs to his circumstances. Though it’s reasonable given how he dedicates himself to give up the bad to make himself feel physically better.
This type of dedication could only be forged with the realistic relationship between Hank and Yvonne, only bolstered by Butler and Kravitz’s chemistry. The two actors define the details clearly: both Hank and Yvonne have known each other for long and they clearly try to live by as they can. Yet, as Hank gets pulled down to this level of activity, he can only do so much for Yvonne’s safety. While the ample time between the two provides a sympathy in the bog of the 1990s New York aesthetic, it feels unfortunate how cut short it is.
However, Caught Stealing really makes use of its narrative turns, particularly around these violent situations. The way that Aronofsky and Huston write around what happens to Hank’s friends and associates really makes Hank’s innate narcissism a bit clearer. He’s only looking out for a way for himself because of the circumstances Russ puts upon him, which gets its satisfying wraparound moment later on.
Although, if you pay attention to the other characters, particularly with the hilarious, yet dangerous, Hebrew hitmen Lipa and (Liev Schreiber) and Shmully (Vincent D’Onofrio), the twists become more apparent. These two characters, who really feel like brothers, are just hilarious to watch as you learn where they’re coming from. Of course, you might think that they’re just deadpan hitmen focused on a single objective. However, their actual family lives happily create their joke-y banter and back-and-forth that makes them a joy to watch.
Some might actually not suspect where some of these turns lie. Particularly, there’s a big one around Detective Roman (Regina King), whose personality might cause you to empathize with her. Sure, initially, it might seem like a comical case from where she’s coming from with her line of investigating. Once you start putting the pieces together in the grand scheme of Colorado’s (Benito “Bad Bunny” Antonio Martínez Ocasio) front-manning, Roman becomes a much more prominent player. Although, her motivations are economically basic in the film’s general narrative: no deeply rooted evil, just pure greed.
Caught Stealing is a welcome return for Darren Aronofsky, providing audiences with a captivating criminal narrative with charming performances from Austin Butler, Zoë Kravitz, and more. A gracefully and intricately shot film that captures the ‘90s New York City aesthetic to a tee, Aronofsky’s passion project is, honestly, a worthy standout that shows that Aronofsky’s still got it.
Caught Stealing releases in theaters on August 29.
Rating: ★★★★
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Christopher Gallardo is a freelance entertainment writer and critic. While not running The Reel Roller, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV. Outside of entertainment writing, he’s currently taking classes for a Bachelor’s of Science with a minor in Digital Media & Journalism. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! Follow Christopher on Instagram & X.